The backlash: Sustainability is dead, or is it?

An IMD masterclass on turning sustainability pressures into strategic opportunity

Geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, and political polarization have sparked a growing backlash against sustainability. Ambitious climate targets are being questioned, ESG is under scrutiny, and corporate commitments are facing increased pressure. For today’s business leaders, the debate is no longer abstract. Is sustainability losing relevance, or is it entering a more mature and strategic phase?

Join Julia Binder, IMD Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Business Transformation, and Program Director of Creating Value in the Circular Economy, for an interactive session where we will examine whether the backlash signals retreat or transformation. We will explore how companies are responding, where commitments are translating into action, and how sustainability can evolve from compliance and reputation management into a driver of resilience and competitive advantage.

Expect practical insights for leaders seeking to navigate uncertainty while positioning their organizations for long-term value creation.

Here’s what you can expect from your masterclass:

• Understand why the sustainability backlash is not uniform and how leading companies are responding — from retrenchment to strategic repositioning.
• Explore why execution on Net Zero and Nature Positive targets remains uneven and what it takes to fully embed commitments into capital allocation and operating models.
• Discover how sustainability is shifting from compliance and risk mitigation toward value creation and competitive differentiation — and how to integrate it into your core strategy.

Following your masterclass, you will have the chance to engage directly with our Program Advisors. They will provide:

• A comprehensive overview of IMD’s sustainable business program portfolio, plus insight into our renowned Orchestrating Winning Performance program (OWP).
• Insight on how our programs can align with your professional aspirations.
• Answers to all your questions about our sustainable business programs and more.

Agenda

• 12:00 – 12:45: Sustainability masterclass “The backlash: Sustainability is dead, or is it?” with Professor Julia Binder.
• 12:45 – 13:00: Introduction to IMD sustainable business & OWP programs with our Program Advisors, followed by a Q&A.

Please note, this event will not be recorded. This is a unique opportunity to experience the IMD learning journey live.